i didn't know valve calcification was preventable neither did my cardiologist

[think]

http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-108.shtml#alternative

Integrated and Alternative Prevention

Because of the anatomical nature of valvular disease, prevention may be the best approach to avoid this disorder. For example, there is evidence that the deposition of apolipoprotein A, B, and E (protein variations of the LDL cholesterol) on the aortic valve creates a binding site for calcium. Aortic valve stenosis is often described as a calcification process. Fibrinogen may also contribute to this process by depositing on aortic valves, further adding to deposit buildup by binding with calcium deposits already present on valves. Studies also implicate a chronic inflammatory process that promotes calcium infiltration into the aortic valve.

Preventing or curbing the progression of aortic-valve disease may involve lowering homocysteine, fibrinogen, and apolipoproteins A, B, and E in the blood. Consider regular blood tests to guard against hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and supplementing with magnesium (500 elemental mg a day) to possibly inhibit excess calcification of the aortic valve. Supplementing with 10 mg a day of vitamin K1 may be especially effective in preventing aortic valve calcification. Long-term anti-inflammatory therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, or prescription drugs) may be considered under the supervision of a physician. Nutrients that safely inhibit many chronic inflammatory reactions include fish oil, borage oil, curcumin, and ginger. (See the Fibrinogen, Homocysteine, and Atherosclerosis protocols for suggestions on lowering homocysteine, fibrinogen, and apolipoprotein levels.)

Since narrowed and/or leaky heart valves keep blood from being efficiently pumped, and thus place a strain on the heart muscle, we suggest you follow the Congestive Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy protocol. The nutrients in this protocol will help strengthen the contractility of the heart muscle, but will do nothing to alleviate or correct the underlying anatomical valvular defect.

 

[Ross]

I think I'd like to see some more scientific data on that. I think your chances of actually controlling it are just about none.

 

[think]

actually me too,

i found the follwing through internet search

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2745512&dopt=Abstract

 

[think]

and this one

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2133625&dopt=Abstract

 

[Ross]

It's certainly interesting, but can you imagine all the work you'd put into keeping your functioning valve free. I just can't see where it would be worth it all. Maybe I'm just a little nuts.

 

[tobagotwo]

You need to look carefully into what your research is saying.

The original article didn't really say very much, except to advocate certain supplements that are serendipitously for sale at the bottom of the page. It also covers itself in the first line of the summary: "Valve-replacement surgical procedures currently are the only effective long-term therapy for valvular insufficiency."

The cholesterol evidence hasn't panned out. I posted recently on it. Statins have not been found to affect stenosis, although they do lower cholesterol.

It's to be remembered that one of the more common conditions associated with bicuspid aortic valves is a combination of extraordinarily clean arteries and good cholesterol levels. So where does this fellow's theory fit in? Because it's stuff in the arteries, so it must all be the same? Unfortunately, it's not.

This second one is about treating the tissue replacement valve itself, before implantation, not taking supplements to prevent the apatitic calcification in the first place. The big three all already have tissue valves with good anticalcification treatments. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2745512&dopt=Abstract

This last one was about injecting (locally) the drugs directly into the affected tissue - which happens to be shoulder tissue affected by bursitis (calcified deposits in the joint). Bursitis spontaneously goes away in many people, which valve disease doesn't. Also, bursitis calcification is sometimes treated with calcium and Vitamin D supplements. Go figure. I wouldn't try that on a calcifying valve.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2133625&dopt=Abstract

I took (still take) 600mg of magnesium daily, made up of three different chemical compounds to ensure absorption. "Elemental" magnesium is a misnomer, sometimes misapplied to the percentage of magnesium found in a compound. Magnesium is incredibly reactive, and is never found alone in an elemental state in nature. But the word elemental has a good sound to it, when you're selling it. Magnesium has been found to improve heart rhythm in some cases, but it sure didn't do a thing for my own stenosis.

We would all like to find a way to stop it.

Beware false prophets, my friend.

Best wishes,

 

[Natanni]

It would be interesting if they could ever determine a common link and control the advancement of BAV, but there seems to be such huge variability in everyone's own personal genetic make up.....maybe the cholesterol theory would have worked more for someone like Nathan's BAV, as he has a genetically high cholesterol, that will run him in the 300's not medicated, trying to control with diet and exercise. He did also have some early athersclerosis, and he is only 34.

 

[tobagotwo]

I think the cholesterol may be an also-ran, because the structures that develop create great "hanging places" for many common molecules found in the bloodstream. So there's some of that found there, particularly if that person has more of it around in their other arteries. There's also some of any number of other common bodily chemicals that show up there.

However, that doesn't mean causation or even collusion. Those substances may be there because the structure's there, rather than being its building blocks. The crusty apatite that coats your valve leaflets is much stronger, harder, and more brittle than most cholesterol-based growths.

There is some reason to feel the inflammation theory may be involved. The overall response really seems to be more aligned with the body's response to a dead or foreign object than any of the other simple theories.

Or not. Anticalcification treatments chemically bind the telltale surface chemicals that may attract body molecules that wind up coating these alien objects. The apatite coating may not be an inflammatory response by the body, but may be an inevitable series of chemical changes and combinations caused by the active chemicals on the surface of a dead or foreign object. The inflammation may be a result, rather than a cause of the rock-like growth.

I've often thought it would be great if they could run some vinegar or CLR through the valve and clean it like a drip coffeemaker or an encrusted showerhead. Unfortunately, vinegar doesn't go into the bloodstream as vinegar at all, and CLR and similar products are tragically toxic.

Best wishes,